- The English Department
- English Ks3
- English Ks4
- English Language
- English Lit
- IGCSE
Teaching Team:
Miss C. Riggs - Faculty Leader of English | E-Mail
Mrs V. Hein - Advanced Skills Teacher | E-Mail
Miss N. Stollery - Advanced Skills Teacher | E-Mail
Miss P. Evitt - Learning and Intervention Co-ordinator | E-Mail
Miss E. Iles | E-Mail
Miss H. Sheath | E-Mail
Miss S. Holman | E-Mail
Ms G. Bull | E-Mail
Mrs J. Hartley | E-Mail
Mrs R. Bridges | E-Mail
Miss K. Grundstein | E-MailSubject Overview:
Are you in danger of being manipulated by the media? Do you carry the tools of persuasion which will enable you to influence others? Should you judge a book by its cover if you can infer enough from it? Is the pen truly mightier than the sword? Your study of English will enable you to consider all these questions and more.
A fundamental skill for survival in modern society is communication. English provides invaluable skills for all young people, no matter what they are aiming for. The study of English enables students to think logically, work independently, be creative and communicate ideas with confidence.
Learning Experience:
All students study English for 4 x 50 minute lessons per week. Teaching and learning is focused on building skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening. These skills are taught through the study of a wide range of texts including non-fiction, plays, novels and short stories. Shakespeare and English Literary Heritage continue to form an important foundation of the curriculum as does the study of all forms of media. In addition, Year 10 students who are not studying a Modern Foreign Language receive two English booster lessons a fortnight.
Homework:
Homework tasks address the specific needs of each class and are set once a week. Details of each homework task are recorded in students’ planners.
Year 7: Spring Writing Homework - Book Review
Year 8: Spring Writing Homework - Writing Competition | Competition Entry Form
Year 9: Spring Writing Homework - Targeting Weaknesses
Assessment:
Assessment is ongoing throughout each year, with core outcomes for each unit of work given a National Curriculum level by the class teacher. Students will also assess their own progress with target setting a central part of the process. Verbal and written feedback is given in lessons and, more formally, there are end of year tests for Year 7, 8 and 9 students.
Course Outline:
We believe that good English teaching forms the basis for success in all subjects. The ability to communicate effectively and appropriately in speech and in writing is a vital skill that every student needs in education and beyond. The key skills of spelling, punctuation and grammar are constantly taught and refined throughout key stage 3. Through inspiring and motivating teaching, skills in reading, writing and speaking and listening can be developed to support students' progress and encourage an enjoyment of reading.
Year 7 Units:
Students study a range of units including work on: non-fiction, poetry, contemporary fiction, narrative writing and research skills. They will develop the ability to analyse texts and write creatively for a variety of purposes and audiences. Speaking and listening skills are developed with group projects and drama activities.
Year 8 Units:
The range of units studied includes: an introduction to Shakespeare, stories and poems from different cultures, reading a play-script, newspapers, a study of language evolution and ballads. Students further develop their skills in reading and writing a range of texts for different purposes and audiences. They are encouraged to read widely and use ICT in lessons effectively.
Year 9 Units:
In Year 9, students are taught with a focus towards the GCSE exam which is taken in year 10. They study a range of units including: study of a Shakespeare play, working on speeches and debate, reading and writing a range of non-fiction texts, poetry and gothic horror stories. Skills are developed to promote independent work as well as group work and students are encouraged to evaluate their skills and progress. At the end of year 9 students will sit a GCSE-style exam to assess their strengths and weakness and allow teachers to personalise the teaching of the students in year 10.
Student Groupings:
Students are set according to ability in all years
Time Allocation:
8 lessons per two week cycle.
English (2 Year Course)
GCSE – Grades A*-G
What do students study and how do they study?
Students will study a range of fiction and non-fiction texts in order to develop their speaking and listening, reading and writing skills. They have the opportunity to study literature texts (including plays, poems, short stories and novels) and build their knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of good writing. In their language study, students will analyse the writer’s craft; define features of writing for particular purposes and audiences; and learn to use this knowledge when crafting their own writing.
Controlled Assessments
Unit 2 ‘Speaking and Listening’
Candidates will complete 3 speaking and listening assignments. These constitute 20% of the final grade:
i. Role playing – students will need to develop and sustain a credible role.
ii. Discussing and Listening
iii. Presenting
These assessments will be completed in class.
Unit 3a ‘Understanding Creative Texts’
This unit comprises 3 sections. Each section is assessed through a controlled assessment. Together, these constitute 20% of the final grade.
i. A play by Shakespeare
ii. A text from the English literary heritage
iii. A text from a different culture or tradition
The total assessment time for unit 3a is 3-4 hours and the total word count is approximately 1600. This will be split into 3 separate tasks to be completed at different points during the unit.
The controlled assessments are completed in class, under exam conditions, and students are allowed to have a single page of notes along with a clean copy of the text.
Unit 3b ‘Producing Creative Texts’
This unit comprises 2 sections. Each section is assessed through a controlled assessment. Together, these constitute 20% of the final grade.
i. Moving Images
Ii. Prompts and Re-creations OR Me, Myself and I
The total assessment time for unit 3b is 3-4 hours and the total word count is approximately 1600. This will be split into 2 separate tasks to be completed at different points during the unit.
The controlled assessments are completed in class, under exam conditions, and students are allowed to have a single page of notes.
What examinations are there?
Unit 1 ‘Understanding and Producing Non-fiction Texts’ is assessed through an external exam and comprises 40% of the final grade
The exam is split into 2 sections:Section A: Reading - Students will answer a number of questions based upon 3 non-fiction texts
Section B: Writing - Students will complete a shorter writing task worth 16 marks (inform or describe) and a longer writing task worth 24 marks (argue or persuade)
What additional study is expected?
English is a skills-based subject and, as such, students need to work continually at improving their skills in reading and writing. They should read a variety of text types and deconstruct them using the techniques we study in class; reading and analysing sections of a Sunday broadsheet newspaper, for example, can be an invaluable aid to their English studies. It is important that students can communicate effectively in writing so they should constantly work at improving their spelling, punctuation and grammar skills; there are many good websites which offer detailed advice and exercises to practise the skills learnt.
In order to access the higher grades, students need to show an ‘originality of analysis and interpretation’ which can only be attained through additional independent research of the texts being studied. Students should read critical notes and essays about the texts and consider wider reading of the author or the genre in order to develop an understanding of the writer’s style or the features of a particular genre.
What can students do next?
English is a vital skill for all students and enables them to access all other subjects.
Higher education institutes expect a certain standard of English for all courses and the higher level qualifications stipulate a grade C or above in English for entry to the course.
English is a solid academic qualification which is valued by employers, colleges and universities.
English Language (2 Year Course)
This can only be completed in conjunction with the English Literature GCSE
GCSE – Grades A*-G
What do students study and how do they study?
Students will study a range of fiction and non-fiction texts in order to develop their speaking and listening, reading and writing skills. They have the opportunity to study literature texts (including plays, poems, short stories and novels) and build their knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of good writing. In their language study, students will analyse the writer’s craft; define features of writing for particular purposes and audiences; and learn to use this knowledge when crafting their own writing.
Controlled Assessments
Unit 2 ‘Speaking and Listening’
Candidates will complete 3 speaking and listening assignments. These constitute 20% of the final grade:
i. Role playing – students will need to develop and sustain a credible role.
ii. Discussing and Listening
iii. Presenting
These assessments will be completed in class.
Unit 3a ‘Extended Reading’
Candidates will complete one task on their assigned text—this may be a collection of non-fiction, poetry or short stories; or a play or novel. It is assessed through a controlled assessment. This constitutes 15% of the final grade.
The total assessment time for unit 3a is 3-4 hours and the total word count is approximately 1200.
The controlled assessment is completed in class, under exam conditions, and students are allowed to have a single page of notes along with a clean copy of the text.
Unit 3b ‘Creative Writing’
This is split into 2 sections. Each section is assessed through a controlled assessment. Together, these constitute 15% of the final grade.
i. Moving Images
Ii. Commissions OR Re-creations
The total assessment time for unit 3b is 3-4 hours and the total word count is approximately 1200. This will be split into 2 separate tasks to be completed at different points during the unit.
The controlled assessments are completed in class, under exam conditions, and students are allowed to have a single page of notes.
Unit 3c ‘Spoken Language Study’
Candidates will complete one task on one of the following topics:
i. Social attitudes to spoken Language
Ii. Spoken Genres
Iii. Multi-modal Talk
The total assessment time for unit 3c is 2-3 hours and the total word count is approximately 800-1000.
What examinations are there?
Unit 1 ‘Understanding and Producing Non-fiction Texts’ is assessed through an external exam and comprises 40% of the final grade
The exam is split into 2 sections:
Section A: Reading
Section B: Writing - Students will complete a shorter writing task worth 16 marks (inform or describe) and a longer writing task worth 24 marks (argue or persuade)
What additional study is expected?
English is a skills-based subject and, as such, students need to work continually at improving their skills in reading and writing. They should read a variety of text types and deconstruct them using the techniques we study in class; reading and analysing sections of a Sunday broadsheet newspaper, for example, can be an invaluable aid to their English studies. It is important that students can communicate effectively in writing so they should constantly work at improving their spelling, punctuation and grammar skills; there are many good websites which offer detailed advice and exercises to practise the skills learnt. In order to access the higher grades, students need to show an ‘originality of analysis and interpretation’ which can only be attained through additional independent research of the texts being studied. Students should read critical notes and essays about the texts and consider wider reading of the author or the genre in order to develop an understanding of the writer’s style or the features of a particular genre.
What can students do next?
English is a vital skill for all students and enables them to access all other subjects.
Higher education institutes expect a certain standard of English for all courses and the higher level qualifications stipulate a grade C or above in English for entry to the course.
English is a solid academic qualification which is valued by employers, colleges and universities.
English Literature (2 Year Course)
This can only be studied in conjunction with the English Language GCSE
GCSE – Grades A*-G
What do students study and how do they study?
Students will study a range of literature including poetry, plays, short stories and novels.
The course aims to promote in students a knowledge of, and affection for English Literature, and to lead them to an understanding of the literary uses of language and the social, historical and cultural dimensions of literary works.
Controlled Assessments
Unit 3 ’The Significance of Shakespeare and the English Literary Heritage’
Candidates will submit one task which will link a play by Shakespeare to another assigned text from the English Literary Heritage.
This constitutes 25% of the final grade.
The total assessment time for unit 3 is 3-4 hours and the total word count is approximately 2000.
The controlled assessment is completed in class, under exam conditions, and students are allowed to have a single page of notes along with a clean copy of the text.What examinations are there?
Unit 1 ’Exploring Modern Texts’
The exam is 1 hour 30 minutes and constitutes 40% of the final grade.
Section A:
Modern Prose or drama (20%) Candidates answer one question from a choice of two questions based on their set text
Section B:
Exploring Cultures (20%) Candidates answer one question on the set text they have studied.
Unit 2 ‘Poetry Across Time’
The exam is 1 hour 15 minutes and constitutes 35% of the final grade
Section A:
Poetry Cluster from the Anthology (23%) Candidates will answer one question from a choice of two questions based on the selection of poems they have studied
Section B:
Responding to an Unseen Poem (12%) Candidates answer one question about the poem All literature students will be issued with a copy of the Poetry Anthology so they have constant access to the exam poems for the purposes of independent study and revision.
What additional study is expected?
Although the literature GCSE does not explicitly examine writing skills, it is important that students can communicate effectively in writing so they should constantly work at improving their spelling, punctuation and grammar skills; there are many good websites and text books which offer detailed advice and exercises to practise the skills learnt. In order to access the higher grades, students need to show an ‘originality of analysis and interpretation’ which can only be attained through additional independent research of the texts being studied.
Students should read critical notes and essays about the texts and consider wider reading of the author or the genre in order to develop an understanding the writer’s style or the features of a particular genre.
For the unseen poetry question, it is vital that students have an understanding and appreciation of a wide range of poetry beyond those studied in class so independent wider reading of poetry is very important.
What can students do next?
English literature allows students to develop analytical skills as well as improve their general reading skills and their understanding of human nature. English literature is a solid academic qualification which is valued by employers, colleges and universities.
What information is on the VLE?
Course information; homework assignments; details of coursework assignments, including deadlines, additional reading, essay plans etc; exam hints and tips; Ideas for practising reading and writing skills; details of useful websites
iGCSE (English as a second language)
GCSE- Grades A*-G
What is iGCSE?
The iGCSE in English as a second language is a qualification designed primarily for students who have English as an additional language although the qualification is available for all students. iGCSE offers an opportunity for students to enhance their future educational or employment prospects through developing literacy skills.
What do students study and how do they study?
The aim of the iGCSE is to test English language competence through realistic and contextualised tasks. Reading, writing and listening skills are tested through two examination papers.
Through developing reading, students will be able to: understand the main ideas of complex texts; select and retrieve information; and recognise implicit meaning.
Through developing writing, students will be able to: produce clear, detailed texts on a wide range of subjects; communicate formally and informally, in a range of contexts; explain a viewpoint or topical issue; and write with technical accuracy.
Through developing listening, students will be able to understand spoken language, on both familiar and unfamiliar topics, in a range of contexts.
What examinations are there?
The course is 100% assessed through examinations, divided into two papers:
Paper 1 - 2 hours (67%)
Reading (40%)
Passages will be taken from a variety of sources, including both fiction and non-fiction. Students will be expected to skim and scan for information, read for both main ideas/points and detail, follow a line of argument and identify attitudes and opinions in the text.
Writing (60%)
Three tasks are completed and could include: writing a factual piece of writing based on own knowledge and interests; writing a response to a situation; or writing a summary of a text or situation. A range of writing styles will be assessed including reports, articles, letters, emails and summaries.
Paper 2 - 45 minutes (33%)
Listening
A variety of listening skills will be assessed including understanding the overall message, listening for detailed information, following a discussion or argument, identifying the opinions of speakers and following instructions.
What additional study is expected?
Student will need to work continually at improving their skills in reading and writing. Students are responsible for bringing in an appropriate translation dictionary (if required) every lesson and for producing vocabulary banks for use within and beyond the classroom. Students will be expected to access a range of resources available to improve language acquisition, such as BBC Skillswise. For students where English is an additional language, a specific homework club is available and students will be encouraged to access this to improve their literacy. Regular consumption of local and national newspapers, news programmes and a variety of television shows and films will also be expected.
What can students do next?
The iGCSE is a recognised qualification and provides an effective bridge for students to enter further studies.
